South Padre Island Offers a Year-Round Beach Getaway
With white sandy beaches and blue water, South Padre Island may seem more like a Caribbean getaway than part of the Texas Gulf Coast. The island’s location on the tropical tip of Texas provides a year-round beach destination that draws visitors from all over the U.S.
Miles of sugary, clean beaches are the main attraction. The Island’s other offerings, including abundant wildlife, activities, family attractions and modern resort amenities, make it a top destination for more than one million overnighting visitors each year.
The Island is rich in wildlife viewing opportunities. More than 300 species of migratory birds stop here each year during spring and fall migrations, making South Padre one of the best birding locations in the Western Hemisphere. The Island’s wetlands provide a refuge for shorebirds and waterfowl.
The South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center offers exhibits on birding and other natural features of the Island, along with a five-story viewing tower, viewing blinds and boardwalk nature trails. For other birding opportunities, visitors can choose a guided tour or visit one of the Island’s dedicated birding areas.
Giant sea turtles also call South Padre Island home, including the Kemp’s Ridley, the world’s most endangered sea turtle. Visitors can see these appealing creatures up-close at Sea Turtle, Inc., a facility dedicated to rescuing and protecting marine turtles.
Dolphin families live year-round in the waters off of the Island. The Island’s dolphin viewing tour providers boast a sighting success rate of nearly 100 percent due to the high number of dolphins in the Island’s waters.
The Island lets visitors be as active as they want to be. On the western shore, the Laguna Madre Bay’s shallow, calm waters make it one of the safest places in the U.S. to learn to kiteboard or windsurf. Parasailing, snorkeling and unique deep-sea diving opportunities also keep active travelers busy. With more than 600 different fish species inhabiting the Island’s waters, sport fishing is a favorite activity, from surfcasting to deep-sea fishing.
South Padre Island plays many roles: family vacation destination, romantic island getaway, tropical winter haven and spring break escape. The Island provides guests with everything they need to tailor their own custom beach vacation experience.